Strengthening Efforts to Combat Desertification

Today, around the world, over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification. About 1 billion people – in over 110 countries – are currently at risk of its consequences.

Here in Iran, the level of desertification is “high”. Over 20 per cent of the country’s land is exposed to desertification. Deserts threaten 18 provinces and 97 cities of the country. And in these arid and semi-arid areas, desertification is at risk of increasing.

However, for many years, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working closely with the Government of Iran to support the sustainable management of its natural resources and through this reverse the effects of desertification.

Today, to strengthen these efforts and to commemorate World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) and Drought, the signing ceremony of Phase III of the Carbon Sequestration Project (CSP) took place at the Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) in the presence of Deputy Minister and Head of FRWO, Dr. Khodakaram Jalali, Member of Parliament of Iran from South Khorasan, Mr. Mohammadreza Amir Hassankhani, Director Generals from different provinces in which the project is being implement, the media and the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Gary Lewis.